Deciphering Crypto Compliance in 2025
Unveiling Regulations, Risks, and Best Practices for the Digital Asset Landscape
The world of digital assets is changing fast, and regulatory oversight is evolving just as quickly. As financial institutions and compliance teams work to stay ahead of new requirements, understanding the global crypto regulatory landscape is more critical than ever.
To help firms navigate these complexities, StarCompliance (Star) has released its latest quarterly executive brief: Crypto Regulations Decoded – Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Digital Asset Compliance. This comprehensive report explores the latest global regulatory developments, industry challenges, and expert insights to equip firms with the knowledge needed to strengthen their compliance programs.
Key Highlights from the Report
The Evolving Global Crypto Regulatory Landscape
Regulators around the world are ramping up their oversight of digital assets. The brief examines major regulatory shifts, including:
- The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, which introduces clear compliance requirements for crypto firms across all 27 EU member states.
- Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and its approach to tiered licensing, risk-based supervision, and AML/KYC obligations.
- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Crypto Task Force, established in 2025 to create a clearer regulatory framework while enhancing enforcement actions.
- The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is working on new market abuse and transparency rules for crypto assets.
Insights from Star’s 4th Annual Crypto & Compliance Survey
The brief features key findings from Star’s latest industry survey, revealing how financial firms are handling the compliance challenges of employee crypto trading. Among the most notable insights:
- 55% of firms lack confidence in their ability to track employees’ personal crypto trading.
- 50% of companies are unaware of the crypto assets held by employees.
- 72% of firms believe major regulatory changes like MiCA will not significantly impact their crypto trading policies—potentially exposing them to compliance risks.
- 33% of companies expect regulatory changes to affect their business within the next 12–18 months, while 27% foresee no impact anytime soon.
Expert Perspectives on the Regulatory Landscape
As part of its ongoing commitment to industry education, Star gathered insights from leading legal and compliance professionals to assess the current state of crypto oversight.
- Howard A. Fischer, Partner at Moses Singer and former SEC Senior Trial Counsel, highlighted how enforcement actions took precedence over structured regulations in crypto’s early years. He emphasized that regulatory clarity is necessary for the industry to mature.
- Miroslav Duric, Senior Associate at TaylorWesley, discussed how early national-level regulations in Germany, Malta, and Switzerland helped shape the EU-wide MiCA framework that is now coming into effect.
Best Practices for Crypto Compliance Management
With crypto trading and digital assets becoming more integrated into financial markets, compliance teams are facing new challenges in monitoring trading activities, ensuring regulatory adherence, and mitigating risks. The report outlines best practices that firms should adopt, including:
- Building a strong compliance foundation with clear policies and regular employee training.
- Leveraging technology-driven compliance solutions to automate monitoring, reporting, and approvals.
- Implementing continuous risk assessments and real-time monitoring to stay ahead of emerging regulatory changes.
Download the Full Report Now
As crypto regulations continue to evolve, staying ahead of compliance challenges is more critical than ever. Star is committed to providing organizations with cutting-edge technology, strategic insights, and expert guidance to navigate the complexities of digital asset trading. Download the full executive brief for free and gain the insights you need to strengthen your crypto compliance strategy in 2025 and beyond.
Crypto Regulations Decoded
